A taste of Japan for Medway students

Four Medway students got off to a flying start this week as part of this years Medway / Ito / Yokosuka student exchange programme. The four young people, aged 16 to 18, left Heathrow Airport to Fly to Tokyo where host families from Medway’s Sister Cities in Japan meet them for a two-week stay. Aimee Telford, Shona Mount, James Mateo and Paul Walker will meet the Mayor of Ito and Mayor of Yokosuka, Medway’s sister cities in Japan. They will have a full two week programme visiting schools, Japanese cultural and tourist attractions and while there gain an understanding of Japanese art, culture and lifestyle. During the visit they will also have the opportunity to practice speaking Japanese, as local radio and television stations will interview them live on air as part of their visit. One of the highlights of the trip will be attending the major festival in the Ito calendar that celebrates the life of William Adams, the famous sea captain who came from Gillingham and was one of the first Europeans to travel to Japan. As part of the exchange programme four Japanese students will come to stay in Medway with the host families of the Medway students, from 12 to 25 August. If you are student interested in taking part in next year’s Medway / Ito / Yokosuka student exchange programme, please contact Medway Visitor Information Centre on 01634 843666 or email visitor.centre@medway.gov.uk Medway residents have the opportunity to learn more about the life and times of Will Adams and taste Japanese lifestyle at The Will Adams Festival in Gillingham on Saturday 13 September.